Newsletter

Schedule changes up for vote

Changing schedules at the high and middle schools will save $13 million.

The Duval County School Board will decide Monday whether to change the district's high school and middle school schedules, a move that would shorten the school day, save the district $13 million, and eliminate about 200 teaching positions.

The board also will vote on whether to reduce the number of credits needed to graduate from 26 to 24, the minimum allowed by law.

The schedule change is part of a host of budget strategies being considered by the board to help deal with what is now an estimated $120 million budget shortfall next year.

School Board Chairman Tommy Hazouri expects many teachers whose positions are eliminated to be absorbed into other teaching positions in the district.

"We're going to try and keep as many of our teachers who get surplused from that as possible," Hazouri said. "We're going to do our best to place all of them."

Duval Teachers United, the local teachers union, overwhelming voted in favor of the new schedules, the organization said Thursday.

"It was one of the largest member participations that we have had in a long time of any ratification," said Terrie Brady, union president.

Changes to the high school schedule received 81 percent support from teachers; 73 percent supported changes to the middle school schedule.

The district was prepared for board members to vote on the changes more than a month ago, but the vote was delayed so the teachers union could conduct its vote first.

Even though the district's recommended changes will reduce the credits required to graduate, the change will not mean an easier time for students, said Elaine Mann, chief officer for high school education.

Duval exceeds the state's requirements by mandating students take geometry, algebra II, two world languages and four sciences, she said.

"We're only reducing the number of electives," said Mann, "we're maintaining all of the more rigorous core requirements."